Draft-gear



J. F. COURSON.

DRAFT GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2l I9I8.

@di .WHAT CL 9F. 3H inw IS T Patened Apr .mmc

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l. F. COURSON.

DRAFT GEAR.

APPLICAHON FILED MAH. l2, 19W.

LSSYOGB. Patented Apr. 13, 19%.

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g@ 1g; f5 i@ ff@ 2f@ M5@ M47@ JOHN F. COURSON, 0F PITCAIRN, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRAFT-GEAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Application filed March 12, 1918. Serial No. 222,023.

To all Awhom 'it m ay conce/n.-

Be it known that I, JOHN F. Cotfnsox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pitcairn, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft- Gears, of which the tollowing is a specification.

My invention consists in an improvement in draft gears of the general class utilizing springs and friction shoes in connection with centrally arranged expanding wedge mechanism operable upon bulling or pulling to cftect resistance to such strains through the mechanism inclosed within and embracing cylinder or casing.

The present construction has in view to provide in a gear oi' this type a construction adapted to be mounted within the usual or any standard car framing. utilizing the maximum available cross sectional area for the purpose of providing ample frictional resistance areas between the relativelyv stationary and movable elements, dependent somewhat upon the generally rectangular form of the gear as a whole. and especially to provide in a friction gear of this type strong. simple and ellicient wearing elements within the casing capable of adjustment or substitution when worn. Also, to so construct the gear as to provide ample resistance to the varying shocks incident to car service.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view through the complete gear as assembled. the parts being shown in normal extended position as indicated by the section line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 1a is a sectional detail view showing a modified mounting of the wearing shoe terminals;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding vertical sectional view vindicated by the line lI-H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view indicated by the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of one of the removable wearing shoes for the cas- Fig. 5 is a similar detail View of one of the relatively movable friction shoes;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the gear under compression;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified construction, the section being indicated by line VII- VH of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view indicated by the line VIII- VIII of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view indicated by the line lX-IX of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail vie\v showing the use of a liner or shim between the casinfr and the wearing shoe; and

Fig. 11 is a similar sectional detail view showing a modified construction of the mounting of the wearing shoe member.

In the drawings. 2 represents the draw bar of the coupler connected with the front end portions of a U-shaped yoke 3 by transverse bolts or rivets 4 extending therethrough as shown and of usual construction. Yoke 8 embraces the casing or cylinder 5 passing around its rear portion, preferably with an intervening filler block 6. and thus providing a solid pulling connection between the casing and the draw bar. while providing for free rearward movement of the yoke independent ot the casing in bufling.

Casing 5 in the construction illustrated. is generally rect-angular in cross section. adapting it to practically fill the space between the center sills T. 7. and the casing is capable of a limited range ol longitudinal movement between a rear reinforcing abutment S secured solidly between the center stills and a forward follower plate 9. which in turn abuts forwardly against the usual stops 10, 10. The active friction creating element of the gear is a central wedge block 11 normally abutting by its front end against follower 9 and by its rear wedge faces against expanding wedges 1Q. which in turn bear by their inner end portions against a central expanding wedge 13. Said wedge in turn bears against the inwardly disposed wedge faced portions 14 of friction shoes 15, which are also engaged by the expanding wedges 12 in the same manner generally as shown in my prior Patent Number 1.131.472.

interposed between the rear end portions of the riction shoes 15 and the inner end of the casing 5 are one or more springs 16 shoes within the forward portion of thesurrounding casing or frame and in direct bearing engagement therewith. Such construction has certain disadvantages 1n that upon the casing or shoes being worn it 1s necessary to substitute an entirely new casing or new shoes, and it is not feasible to easily adjustthe parts to take up or compensate for wear.

My present -construction has in view to provide wearing shoes which are not only v.capable of being replaced when worn,'but

in themselves. constitute -eflicient bearing members, greatly supplementing' the strength of the casing itself, amplifying the wearing surface and providing for their easy and accurate adjustment upon being worn. These wearing shoes, indicated by the numeral 17, preferably extend throughout theentire length of the casing, at each opposlte side and abut by their inner ends 18 against the inner corner portions of the casing, thereby insuring great stability and vpositive transmission of the forces between the'wearing shoes and the casing in buffing, or vice versa in lpulling.

dditional reinforcing connection is preferably provided by laterally extending lugs 19 engaging receiving yopenings 20 in the sides of the casing, by which the wearing shoesl are further secured against movement in either direction, and are also capable of being set inwardly for the insertion of filler strips or shims, 1as indicated in Figs. 10 and 11.

Thefront wearing portions of the shoes 17 are provided with one or more longitudinal gr oves 21, into which project correspondi g ridges 22 of friction shoes 15. By this means the frictional surfaces are increased and without any sacrifice of cross sectional space. The parts are also maintained in their proper longitudinal and assembledy relationship.

Rearwardly beyond the wearing portions of the shoes the inner faces of their shank portions are preferably corrugated as indicated at 23, providing reinforcing portions adapted to strengthen the wearing shoes and without interference with the inclosed springs.

The longitudinal faces of the grooves 21 and of ribs 22 are preferably inclined slightly, converging inwardly in the direction of movement of the friction shoes, thereby greatly increasing the frictional capacity of the gear, and providing for imof the-parts in which the wearing shoes 17y are provided at their inner ends with terminals 18 ofl sufficient area to provide bearmgs for the inner ends of the spring or springsA 16. By this means I insure against displacement of the wearing shoes, independently of anyother means, the spring pressure tending to hold them in. place within the casing 5. j

In the construction of Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the general arrangement is substantially the same as above described except that the vcross sectional shape of the gear casing is modified due to .the narrowing of the vertical width of I the wearing shoes and friction shoes and a modified arrangement ofthe interiorsprinofs 16a which, as shown, are arranged side Iiy side. I also show a combination follower and clamp 9 arranged in the same general manner between the central wedge block 11a and the rear end portion of the draw bar 2, but provided with upper and lower rearwardly extending cheek portions 9" having inwardly turned terminals 9c which engage terminal shoulders 5c of gear casing 5a. In operation, this follower member is free to move inwardly in bufling, or to permit offorward movement of the casing in pulling, but in normal position of the parts maintains them all in tight compact position for operation, `as held by the slight, pressure of the springs 16a.` The clamp follower thus operates as a useful and convenient holding element, in addition to its ordinary functions in providing a resisting abutment in draft stresses, and a transmitting element between the draw bar and the friction creating elements in bufiing.

As stated, the 'construction of the wearing shoes admits of the insertion of a spacing filler or shim 24 between the casing and the shoe, as indicated in ig. 10, and such filler may be supplemented from time to time by additional fillers or those of increased thickness as the inner wearing faces of the shoes become worn. The wearing shoes may thus be used practically to exhaustion, being set inwardly from time to time While maintaining eiiicient abutting engagement with vthe casing and insuring maintenance of the position of the parts throughout the life of the gear.

In Fig. 11, I show a further modification in which the casing 5 is `provided at its front end with an inwardly extending lip 5i adapted to engage the end of the wearing shoe 179, as will be readily understood, thus assisting in its reinforcing maintenance and the transmission of the strains and prevention of displacement.

The several parts of the modified construction oi the gear as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, other than hereinbeltore explained, correspond to the parts oi the principal figures withcorresponding identifying numerals having the exponent a, as will be easily understood without further description.

The generally rectangular formation of the casing 5fl is similar to that of casing 5 adapting the casing to be fitted between center sills without waste space, and in either form of construction the casing is easily embraced and held by the yoke 3 or 3a, and is supported by a lower cross plate 25 or 25a secured to the center sills in the usual way.

lf desired, either `form of gear may be mounted edgewise instead of fla-twise as shown, between the sills, as where it is connected with the draw bar by the well known side straps br bars or a side yoke, in which case ample clearance for such mounting is provided.

The gear as constructed is capable of developing .high resistance to the usual strains ,of car service; it is comparatively simple, cheap and extremely durable, adding largely to the usual life of gears of this general class. The parts are easily madeof suitable available material, iron, steel, or alloyed embodiments of either, and the several parts are capable of being used as cast with a minimum of finish. The gear in its en tirety may be assembled and shipped or handled without risk of its parts becoming disarra'ngcd or lost, and of being quickly and easily applied or detached from a car framing, without the necessity of cutting or destruction of any of the usual parts of the equipment.

It may be changed or varied in different details of construction, proportioning of the parts, areas of the wearing faces, or in other details by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be understood as within the scope of the Jfollowing claims.

l. ln combination with a car underframe having a rear abutment and forward stops, a rectangular casing adapted Jfor mounting in the underframe provided with relatively movable friction creating mechanism, a central wedge block, a draw bar having means connecting it with provision for lost motion to the casing, and a follower interposed between the central wedge block and the rear end of the draw bar; oppositely located wearing shoes inserted between the sides of the casing and movable members of the friction mechanism having lug engagement with the casing and rearwardly extending nonwearing portions extending backwardly into abutting engagement with the rear end of the casing.

2. ln combination with a car underframe having a rear abutment and forward stops, a rectangular casing adapted for mounting in the underframe provided with relatively movable friction creating mechanism, a central wedge block, a draw bar having means connecting it with provision for lost motion to the casing, and a follower interposed between the central wedge block and the rear end of the dra-w bar; oppositely located wearing shoes inserted between the sides of the casing and movable members of the friction mechanism having lug engagement with the casing and .rearwardly extending nonwearing portions extending backwardly into abutting engagement with the rear end of the casing and provided with inner corrugated faces.

In testimony whereof l hereunto aiix my signature.

JOHN F. COURSON. 

